VWL Groupies & Lovers Thread (Special Collectors Edition 2.5) updated 2 February 2025

[KAT4DISNEY]

As I sit in MN, where it was -9 degrees when I arrived on Monday, and I just watched the snow plow go by for the second time after our 1-2 inches of snow during the early evening yesterday, I must admit I am chuckling a bit. But, I'll cut a little slack and I definitely do hope everyone stays safe! (Yeah still sitting here chuckling a bit before heading off on my 50 mile drive across the tundra to check on another location - and there are a few more snowflakes falling).

My drive to Tahoe last week in the white outs crossing over the mountain pass is a whole other discussion.

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . . I used my new snow blower . . . . . . .

New Snow Blower!?! Maybe that was the cause of this blizzard. Kind of like deciding to wash the car - it will surely rain.

 

[sleepydog25]

As I sit in MN, where it was -9 degrees when I arrived on Monday, and I just watched the snow plow go by for the second time after our 1-2 inches of snow during the early evening yesterday, I must admit I am chuckling a bit. But, I'll cut a little slack and I definitely do hope everyone stays safe! (Yeah still sitting here chuckling a bit before heading off on my 50 mile drive across the tundra to check on another location - and there are a few more snowflakes falling).

My drive to Tahoe last week in the white outs crossing over the mountain pass is a whole other discussion.

I spent many years in ND, CO, and AK, so naturally this event isn't a huge deal for me mentally. On the other hand, this part of the country isn't used to big snows nor does it have a lot of snow and ice trucks which I was used to in those three states, thus anything over an inch generally shuts down schools, much less what this storm promises.

Nope, Dad, can't blame me. In fact, I was thinking it was working like an anti-snow amulet for awhile since I got it way back in early November, and we've barely had anything until today. Same with Luv's Subaru as we bought it for days like today. Since we got it early last spring--nada. . .until today. Both are proving to be worthwhile investments.

 

[circhead]

Hey circhead!
I like PO Riverside, especially because Yee Ha Bob resides there but our favorite Moderate is hands down Coronado Springs and here is why...love all the amenities(because its a "Convention Resort" there are some nicer restaurants, lounges, etc. than other Mods, IMO), the main pool is awesome, beautiful sight at night. Dare I say ranked up there with Stormalong Bay at BC
Just love the overall feel of the place. Its very quiet, very peaceful. Even with a convention going on, its never bothered us. And the prices tend to most times be a little less than the other Mods, plus in my book right there.
I cant speak to the busses since we drive to parks, etc. But I do see busses quite frequently there so I imagine it being equal to other resorts.
I hope this helps. Not sure about any construction going on there, but for the pool alone, if its open, this would be my choice.

Thanks for the advice, Jimmytammy.
I've always wanted to stay at Coronado (love the look of it) but it's always booked by the time I'm ready to start booking. Alas it's true this time too. I spoke with Disney reservations yesterday and Coronado is not available. Caribbean Beach is, I've never stayed there but ... I'd prefer to stay at Port Orleans even without the pool I like. Yee Ha Bob here we come.

 

[eliza61]

Nope, Dad, can't blame me. In fact, I was thinking it was working like an anti-snow amulet for awhile since I got it way back in early November, and we've barely had anything until today. Same with Luv's Subaru as we bought it for days like today. Since we got it early last spring--nada. . .until today. Both are proving to be worthwhile investments.

LOL, ain't it always the way Sleep. The old guy also was so proud of his snowblower when he brought it and not so much of a flake fell the following winter.

I have an HOA and luckily the dues go to snow removal and lawn care. so not much shoveling for me. I usually still send sid and Rizzo out just to keep the stairs clear.

Unfortunately I suffer from Seasonal light disorder so snow and cold give me the winter blaahs. Now here is one to store under the "never underestimate the power of Disney" because usually a couple of hours a week with therapy lamp and some Disney you tube videos are enough to lift the spirits.

expecting 12-16 inchs tonight.

keep safe out there groupies.

 

[circhead]

Snow hasn't started here in NYC - don't think we're supposed to get any until tomorrow night. My husband says just enough to be annoying is the last he heard 5 - 8 inches. After the last 2 winters that's nothing.

I always hear my father in-law( he grew up in Sandefjord, Norway) telling us that New York has no idea what real snow looks like or how to deal with the little bit we get. Perspective I guess.

Praying all the groupies are safe and sound and able to weather whatever "Jonas" sends your way.


Eliza if you changed your retirement counter to 8 years 1 week and 4 days I could use it.

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . Unfortunately I suffer from Seasonal light disorder . . . . . .

You aren't kiddin'; don't we all in some sense.

But your comment brought to mind what DiznyDi asked me during our first December trip to The World. It was about 5:30 PM when she asked me why it was getting dark, after all, this is Florida the land of the sun. So after a lot of arm waving, pointing east and west, describing the winter solstice and how the earth rotates, and I probably threw in some kind of description of the time/space continuum, I knew it was not really helping. So out came "'cause its winter". Don't know if that helped, but it was the end of the discussion.

 

[sleepydog25]

LOL, ain't it always the way Sleep. The old guy also was so proud of his snowblower when he brought it and not so much of a flake fell the following winter.

I have an HOA and luckily the dues go to snow removal and lawn care. so not much shoveling for me. I usually still send sid and Rizzo out just to keep the stairs clear.

Unfortunately I suffer from Seasonal light disorder so snow and cold give me the winter blaahs. Now here is one to store under the "never underestimate the power of Disney" because usually a couple of hours a week with therapy lamp and some Disney you tube videos are enough to lift the spirits.

expecting 12-16 inchs tonight.

keep safe out there groupies.

For the record, if it would given us snow immunity, I'd have bought three snow blowers and a couple more Subarus. We, too, have HOA, but it only pays for trash (two dumpsters serve the whole subdivsion), common grassy areas, and snow removal. . .though we are far down on the priority list of the snow plow dude. . .stay safe and warm, eliza!

Yes, Pat, it is a matter of perspective. In ND, had a blizzard that lasted two days. I had to crawl out of my kitchen window with a griddle pan in order to shovel enough snow away to get to the garage door to get my shovel (didn't think ahead on that one--my first blizzard). Had a picture of me standing on a drift between two houses where I could lean over and touch a roof top. In AK, the St Patrick's Day storm of 2002 dumped 25" of snow in 24 hours. I used my x-country skis to get to the store for milk just because I could.

P.S. I have a FB link wherein someone loaded a picture from room 4006 at VWL that shows the expanse of land looking back at the main Lodge where things have been cleared. It's not a pretty picture. If you're interested, PM me since I don't know that we're allowed to post such links on here.

 

[Lakegirl]

Here in Northeast MA we are not supposed to get more than a dusting. I wish we were getting more, especially on a weekend when I don't have to drive to work. The kids start to go stir crazy and really need to get out, but if there is no snow it's not fun outside.
My DD keeps saying "I don't think we are going to get any snow this year". All in due time I'm sure, for all of you out there who are getting it, I hope you get home safely!

 

[sleepydog25]

Here in Northeast MA we are not supposed to get more than a dusting. I wish we were getting more, especially on a weekend when I don't have to drive to work. The kids start to go stir crazy and really need to get out, but if there is no snow it's not fun outside.
My DD keeps saying "I don't think we are going to get any snow this year". All in due time I'm sure, for all of you out there who are getting it, I hope you get home safely!

I think I can safely speak for those of us in the storm's grip/path, I would gladly ship this stuff to you if I could.

 

[jmassey1samchi]

Sorry for interrupting the weather thread, but I think I'm having one of those moments when you first start to realize you're getting old as a parent. So my now 17 year old daughter has a few friends she goes to high school with who asked their parents to buy them seasonal weekday passes for Christmas. She and her friends are driving to Disney after school today (school gets out at 2:00 here) to spend the evening at Magic Kingdom. I remember I used to do the same thing with my friends at that age. But for me it usually involved skipping school for the day. Some of my best memories of that age were made at the Disney parks with my best friends, some of which I still see today. I cant help but feel how cool is it that my daughter is doing the same thing with her friends now! This has to be one of the things I like most about going to the parks. Seeing my children enjoying the same things I did when I was their age at the parks.

 

[twokats]

To the groupies getting snow. . . stay warm. I was on pins and needles yesterday during our rainstorms that the temps would stay above freezing. They did and the worst we got was quite a bit of pea-sized hail during the storm. Since the system that is hitting y'all right now is the one that gave us the heavy rain and hail yesterday, I hope that the warm temperatures that we are getting this weekend will also head in your direction. As I stated before. . . stay safe and warm!!

 

[Granny]

Sorry for interrupting the weather thread, but I think I'm having one of those moments when you first start to realize you're getting old as a parent. So my now 17 year old daughter has a few friends she goes to high school with who asked their parents to buy them seasonal weekday passes for Christmas. She and her friends are driving to Disney after school today (school gets out at 2:00 here) to spend the evening at Magic Kingdom. I remember I used to do the same thing with my friends at that age. But for me it usually involved skipping school for the day. Some of my best memories of that age were made at the Disney parks with my best friends, some of which I still see today. I cant help but feel how cool is it that my daughter is doing the same thing with her friends now! This has to be one of the things I like most about going to the parks. Seeing my children enjoying the same things I did when I was their age at the parks.

That is very cool indeed. It is strange to think of WDW as an evening diversion rather than a vacation destination, but it is great that your daughter has inherited your love of WDW. Since WDW was not part of my childhood (nor my adult life until the age of 43), I agree that it is a wonderful common thread of memories that I have with my wife and daughters. I am quite sure that when my twenty-something girls are older, they will look back at our family trips to WDW as some of the most memorable times we spent together. That alone has made every penny I've put into DVC worth it.

Of course, now that it's just DW and I on most trips....well, that's just gravy!

 

[Dean Marino]

Ugh - snow. The MAIN reason we don't go to WDW between the end of NOV, to the middle of APR, flying out of MI.

This isn't WDW's fault..... Orlando is ALWAYS good . Rather? It's the airlines. They don't fly during these months - they just promise to, then cancel (often with a high pitched whine).

We laugh. Because we are not even going to TRY to do this. We watch Dr. Who Re-runs, thank our Natural Gas Generator every time the power fails, drink coffee, work on hobbies, care for the house, blow snow (Daily) - and Blitzkrieg our dining, room, transportation, and FPs for APRIL. When an airplane can actually get off the ground .

 

[star04]

I've been wanting to stay at VWL for a few years now. Will I be disappointed if I stay for 2-3 nights, having lower expectations due to construction? We have APs this year and don't plan on going back until 5 or more years, so I feel like this may be the only time I can stay there. Would you do it? Would you stay Villa side or Lodge side? I was planning on Villa since I can get a better price. Also, are there any trails open now or are they all closed? Thank you for any input!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I've been wanting to stay at VWL for a few years now. Will I be disappointed if I stay for 2-3 nights, having lower expectations due to construction? We have APs this year and don't plan on going back until 5 or more years, so I feel like this may be the only time I can stay there. Would you do it? Would you stay Villa side or Lodge side? I was planning on Villa since I can get a better price. Also, are there any trails open now or are they all closed? Thank you for any input!

I've been seeing such varying reports from people - some who haven't stayed there in years just got back and it's their new favorite place (they were in the Villas) and then others who found the construction very disrupting. I think some of that varies on if you will be at the parks most of the day. If so then you shouldn't encounter construction noise. I wouldn't go out of my way to pick it but if it's now or 5 years from now then I'd go now. I love the Villas but I might be a little more inclined to get a room in the hotel side if it was going to be a Courtyard view. If it's not that then I'd do the Villas.

 

[Kathymford]

I've been wanting to stay at VWL for a few years now. Will I be disappointed if I stay for 2-3 nights, having lower expectations due to construction? We have APs this year and don't plan on going back until 5 or more years, so I feel like this may be the only time I can stay there. Would you do it? Would you stay Villa side or Lodge side? I was planning on Villa since I can get a better price. Also, are there any trails open now or are they all closed? Thank you for any input!

One of the trails is definitely open. My bf ran it when we were there in January. Both lobbies remain as beautiful as ever, so it depends what you are looking for in your resort. Do you need the extra amenities? Renting bikes, boats, etc. Roasting marshmallows right on the beach? Beach movies? Those are the main things that are impacted. Also, not to mention the construction view you will see on the lake side. We still used the boat transportation and even the geyser was still going off.

 

[sleepydog25]

I've been wanting to stay at VWL for a few years now. Will I be disappointed if I stay for 2-3 nights, having lower expectations due to construction? We have APs this year and don't plan on going back until 5 or more years, so I feel like this may be the only time I can stay there. Would you do it? Would you stay Villa side or Lodge side? I was planning on Villa since I can get a better price. Also, are there any trails open now or are they all closed? Thank you for any input!

Kat and Kathy both make excellent points, and as they imply, it all depends on what you expect and your park habits. For me, I keep focusing on the not going back for five years. Though the disruption is real, it will be primarily limited to behind-the-scenes activities, and as suggested, the lobbies remain amazing. Additionally, the restaurants are the same; the boats still run; the main pool will be open; the lights still flicker; and the majestic music still transports you. The paved path--which has always been the more popular one--still will be open and is lovely in its own right. I say go, and I say do the Villas since they're a better deal for you. Shove the construction to the back of your mind, and unless you plan to sleep in or spend lots of time during the day at the room, it shouldn't be a bother. Go for it.

 

[Lakegirl]

Kat and Kathy both make excellent points, and as they imply, it all depends on what you expect and your park habits. For me, I keep focusing on the not going back for five years. Though the disruption is real, it will be primarily limited to behind-the-scenes activities, and as suggested, the lobbies remain amazing. Additionally, the restaurants are the same; the boats still run; the main pool will be open; the lights still flicker; and the majestic music still transports you. The paved path--which has always been the more popular one--still will be open and is lovely in its own right. I say go, and I say do the Villas since they're a better deal for you. Shove the construction to the back of your mind, and unless you plan to sleep in or spend lots of time during the day at the room, it shouldn't be a bother. Go for it.

Well said!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Unfortunately I suffer from Seasonal light disorder so snow and cold give me the winter blaahs. Now here is one to store under the "never underestimate the power of Disney" because usually a couple of hours a week with therapy lamp and some Disney you tube videos are enough to lift the spirits.

expecting 12-16 inchs tonight.

keep safe out there groupies.

I don't have that disorder per se but I have 3 favorite things about the climate in Reno/Tahoe. It's not humid, it may get more snow than MN but it's not as cold, and........we have sunshine 75% of the year!!!!! It is sooooooo awesome compared to the gray gloomy midwest winters I grew up in where the sun disappeared in Dec and did not reappear until mid- April.